Chapter 23: The Doctor
Dr. Suikotsu Shichinintai, pediatrics. He can't really be related can he?
"Rin Taisho," a nurse called out.
"Here," Inuyasha answered, holding a hand out to Rin.
After Jakotsu, he fortunately had an easy week. The only thing he made the news for as the vigilante was tracking down a bike thief. They'd stolen 8 bikes and counting so Inuyasha used a broken bike lock the thief had touched to catch the scent. They'd been nearby. Now, Sesshomaru had him researching this doctor who had the same last name as the other criminals. It was a rather uncommon last name, band of seven. In the past two years, the man became a highly respected pediatrics doctor. But before that, Sesshomaru found out there was a Suikotsu Hirata who graduated with the same exact medical experience that this Suikotsu was claiming. It was suspicious.
A man came into the room. "So what brings you in today?" He looked like a pleasant doctor.
"My niece just needs a checkup. She had been placed in an orphanage and had a hard time, even running away for a bit. We just want to make sure everything looks good."
He smiled. "Niece?" He looked at the girl. "You two don't look alike, am I to assume this good family took you in?"
"Oh, uh, she's deaf."
He looked back. "I see." He looked genuinely saddened by the news. "Did something happen to her…?"
Inuyasha shook his head. "No. She was born deaf."
That piece of information seemed to cheer him up some. "Sometimes nature simply can't be fought. Children are very good at adapting, but it's always easier to live in a constant. Well, let's see what we can do."
Inuyasha observed the man as he checked her height, weight, pulse, and reflexes. He turned everything into a game. On the scale, he had her try to balance into a supergirl pose and while checking her height, he had her try to jump as high as she could and gave her candy for her incredible jumping. He saw the man lower his hand slightly to make sure she'd hit the goal, not much though, she was quite a natural jumper. Finally, they wanted blood work done and the man easily distracted her from the needle. Rin never noticed a thing.
The doctor approached Inuyasha with Rin in tow and yet another lollipop in her mouth. "Well, the blood work will take a few days to get back, but otherwise she's in perfect condition. Just fill out some paperwork up front and we'll send you the results soon."
"Thanks." He reached out an arm to shake hands with the doctor before his foot caught and he tripped into him slightly. "Sorry about that."
"No problem, kids run into me all the time." With a wave towards Rin, the doctor went to tend to other patients.
And Inuyasha, he took Rin to the waiting room before asking where the bathroom was. Once inside, he took out his sword and let the change occur in the privacy of the stall. This is what he was waiting for. For the last three days as part of his training Sesshomaru had him memorizing the scent of common illegal or harmful drugs, in other words, anything a good children's doctor shouldn't smell of. He gave a sniff… disgusting bathroom… classic medicines…a negligent amount of blood (it was a doctors office)... He checked the doctor's scent that now coated him from tripping onto him, yes, it was intentional, he's not a klutz.
Nothing. Nothing smelled out of the ordinary. It didn't clear Suikotsu, but the trip was a bust. He changed back and went to collect Rin.
Walking out the door, Inuyasha held it behind him for Rin to walk out when he noticed another woman coming up, so he held it open for her too.
"Thank you," she said in passing.
But as she did, Inuyasha got a look at her face. "Kagome?"
The woman turned back around, "Sorry sir, you must have me confused with someone else... I'm Kikyo"
Yah, it only took a second to realize it after calling out Kagome's name. "Sorry, my mistake." She nodded slightly and continued inside. He held in his panic. It's mere coincidence, right?
Inuyasha took Rin and walked a couple blocks from the place before pulling out his phone.
"Sessh?"
"Report."
"Before that, can you send me a picture of Onigumo's dead fiance, Kikyo?"
Unseen to Inuyasha, Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at the request, but did so anyway.
Inuyasha took a look at the image. "Shit."
"What?"
"Kikyo is alive, and presumably Suikotsu Shichinintai is a bounty hunter though he didn't smell it."
That caught Sesshomaru's attention. "You are positive?"
"Have someone steal the doc's security footage if you need proof."
"An interesting development. That might be enough to get the other youkai lords or spiritualists involved. They do not take kindly to a rogue elite spiritualist."
Inuyasha sighed. "Do whatever it is you do. Don't forget to pick up Rin at 8."
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"Hm. Inuyasha. Most unexpected." She spoke aloud. She was staring at a picture of the crimson vigilante.
"Something is bothering you my dear?" He came to rest his head on her shoulder.
"Onigumo," she noted. She returned her attention to the photo. "An unexpected encounter is all. Tell me, what have you learned about the younger Taisho brother?"
"Inuyasha?" he questioned. "He resembles his father far more so than Sesshomaru, but they wish for similar things. He just has far more… noble methods. I didn't expect the elder to involve him, but his becoming a public figure has proven most opportune."
"You have specific plans for him, or are you just entertaining yourself?"
"Oh, no. I have very specific plans for him. But I need the Shichinintai to make the public love him first. The higher you climb, the farther you have to fall. And he will drag everyone down with him."
She hummed in agreement, "so you don't mind if I harden his heart a little? I'll try not to break him."
"What do you have in mind?" he asked.
She smirked at him. "What does any great male hero need?- a damsel in distress."
AN: Just a short chapter today. I probably won't update again for a few days (for real this time because I procrastinated), but in the meantime, I also posted a new one-shot. Till next time!
